Finding Hope Read online

CHAPTER 4

  RETURN TO PARADISE

  Lana had fallen asleep while sunbathing at the south end of the beach. She awoke to someone shaking her arm. She shaded her eyes from the sun and looked up from her chaise lounge to find Hope standing over her. Half asleep, Lana scrambled to sit up, forgetting she had untied her swimsuit top. Hope laughed heartily watching Lana trying to quickly cover herself with a towel.

  “When did you get back?” Lana asked, smiling sleepily. She hugged Hope’s neck with one hand while holding on to the towel with the other.

  “Late last night. You don’t think Gabby and I would miss your graduation from the police academy, do you?”

  “Why didn’t you call me? Where did you stay?” Lana sat down, and patted the seat of the chaise lounge beside hers.

  “At Amanda’s parents,” Hope said. “Amanda and her mom are there now with the baby.”

  “I can’t wait to see her. I’ll bet she’s grown a foot in the last six months.”

  “She’s just great, Lana. I think she’s the only thing that kept me from going crazy. And Amanda’s been a big help, too.” Hope paused and her smile slowly faded. “Lana, you’re not mad at me for making Amanda Gabby’s godmother, are you?”

  Lana reached over and hugged Hope tightly. “Of course not … don’t be silly. I’m the one who suggested Amanda in the first place. After everything that happened with Reginald, Amanda needed to know you didn’t blame her. Besides, it’s not like I won’t get to see Gabby.”

  “You’re right,” Hope said with a smile. She stood and pulled Lana to her feet. “Get your things.”

  Lana barely had time to grab everything before Hope dragged her to the parking lot. “Where are we going?” she asked but Hope didn’t answer. Instead, she just shot Lana a sly smile.

  Lana drove with Hope giving her directions along the way.

  “Where are we going?” Lana asked again.

  “Keep driving, we’re almost there.” Hope said so excited she couldn’t hardly sit still.

  “How long will you and Gabby be staying?” Hope moved away shortly after Reginald’s death. She had said it would be too hard stay in Paradise Cove because of all the memories.

  She instructed Lana to park at the curb in front of a row of specialty shops. The two girls exited the car and Hope rushed to Lana’s side interlacing her arm with Lana’s, and led her toward the north end of the row of buildings. At the last minute, Hope stopped and swung Lana around where they faced a new baby boutique shop.

  “This is it? We’re going shopping for Gabby?” Lana asked skeptically. A huge smile spread across Hope’s face, but she didn’t answer. Instead, she pushed open the door and pulled Lana inside. The boutique was somewhat dark inside. “Hope, I don’t think this place is open yet.” Lana pulled backward on Hope’s arm. “Come on; let’s get out of here before we get into trouble.”

  When Hope didn’t move Lana turned and looked at her. She watched Lana’s expression change from leery to puzzled when Amanda and Gabby came out from the back of the store.

  “All right, what’s going on?” Lana asked with a curious smile.

  “Welcome to “Happily Ever After”. Mine and Hope’s new children’s boutique,” Amanda said. “When Daddy gave me my inheritance, I couldn’t think of a better way to invest some money, and keep my two newest best friends around. This way, I get to be close to my goddaughter, Hope has to stay in Paradise Cove, and Lana can follow in her dad’s footsteps, by becoming a police officer right here and protecting us.”

  Lana reached out and put her arms around both friends and the baby, pulling them close.

  “You always did get your way, Amanda.” All three girls laughed out loud and Gabby squealed.

  THE END

  Robin P. Waldrop is the award winning author of the new YA/Paranormal urban fantasy hit Blood Moon series, Ties To The Blood Moon, book 1, and Shadow of the Blood Moon, book 2. Book 3 in the series will be out fall of 2012.

  You may connect with Robin at any of the following. She’d love to hear from you and responds personally to all emails:

  [email protected]

  Blog https://www.robinpwaldrop.blogspot.com